Big Blue View - Game Day! Complete coverage of Giants’ 25-23 victory over Cincinnati BengalsYour place for year-round New York Giants discussion and informationhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47371/bigblueview_fave.png2019-08-22T22:15:55-04:00http://www.bigblueview.com/rss/stream/205920252019-08-22T22:15:55-04:002019-08-22T22:15:55-04:003 winners, 3 losers as Giants defeat Bengals, 25-23
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<img alt="NFL: Preseason-New York Giants at Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ajoIPRemwPxyt67lokAO-JpOPEk=/0x0:4536x3024/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65094235/usa_today_13245346.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Who showed up in the third preseason game?</p> <p id="5MZCXv">The <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> have their third win of the preseason, edging the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> 25-23, Thursday night.</p>
<p id="p4SXmh">The Giants have just two weeks until the start of the 2019 regular season and a little over one week until they need to go from 90 players down to their final 53-man roster. </p>
<p id="U21KTE">The third game of the preseason is over and done with, so who came away as a winner and who needs to step it up? </p>
<h2 id="62AmQS">Winner - <span>Corey Ballentine</span>
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<p id="uoz55L">The Giants’ sixth-round rookie continues to show that availability is the best ability by getting the start with <span>DeAndre Baker</span> working back from a knee sprain. But more than just being healthy, Ballentine continued his strong summer and looked like he belonged with the starters. Not only was his coverage tight but he once again showed his tackling ability. While we shouldn’t have to compliment a player on doing the basics well, tackling has become such a lost art that it’s notable when a player — particularly a rookie DB — does it well.</p>
<h2 id="llDV21">Loser - <span>Will Hernandez</span>
</h2>
<p id="AjSt4a">Expectations are high for <span>Hernandez</span>, which is why I am singling him out. <span>Hernandez</span> is a good lineman and should continue to grow into a great guard. But for a player with his upside, three penalties (one accepted) in two drives just isn’t going to cut it. </p>
<h2 id="tzvIS0">Loser - Penalties<strong> </strong>
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<p id="UdoE9g">The flags flew early in often in this game — for both teams. This was a sloppy game as both teams hurt themselves with penalties. On the Giants’ side of things, they limited themselves on offense by forcing the ball backward while also keeping Bengals’ drives alive with unforced errors. They Giants even made life harder on themselves on special teams with penalties to move <span>Aldrick Rosas</span> back as well as on a kick return. </p>
<p id="OLoOjM">Penalties can be killer for a team and the Giants have just two weeks to lock this down. </p>
<h2 id="Lwn28W">Winner - <span>Eli Manning</span> lead blocking</h2>
<p id="VrPWcc">This might not be what the Giants want to see, but I am absolutely here for it. <span>Eli Manning</span> getting out in front of Wayne Gallman on a 14-yard run is nothing but fun. </p>
<p id="FYhSxB">(Does the fact that Eli was able to stay in front of Gallman say more about Eli’s speed, or does it mean Gallman is slow?) </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">THAT'S OUR QB <a href="https://t.co/b8SkGFEp8N">pic.twitter.com/b8SkGFEp8N</a></p>— New York Giants (@Giants) <a href="https://twitter.com/Giants/status/1164679890496446466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2019</a>
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<h2 id="4s7kwt">Loser - <span>C.J. Conrad</span>
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<p id="VgyPGH">As I write this, this isn’t because anything Conrad did during the game ... Mostly because he didn’t do anything until after the two-minute warning.</p>
<p id="V4O5SZ">Conrad was nowhere to be seen most of the second half while the Giants had <span>Garrett Dickerson</span> and <span>Scott Simonson</span> on the field, and that’s probably not great for the rookie when one of the players he is competing with is making plays. That’s what happened when <span>Garrett Dickerson</span> got the ball and made some things happen with two catches for 30 yards, including a long of 18, to get the Giants in position to score. </p>
<h2 id="VG7Lhd">Winner - <span>Daniel Jones</span>’ toughness</h2>
<p id="ZZDuDm">You never want to see both your left and right tackles turned around and chasing defenders back toward the quarterback — those kinds of plays never end well.</p>
<p id="dZ3sYE">But that’s exactly what happened when <span>Carl Lawson</span> and <span>Sam Hubbard</span> beat <span>Nate Solder</span> and <span>Mike Remmers</span> almost immediately and met in the backfield to make a rookie sandwich out of the sixth overall pick. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Carl Lawson reminding everyone that he is a force when healthy.<br><br>Top 5 pass-rush win rates over the last two regular seasons among players with 400+ pass rushes (via <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PFF</a>):<br><br>1. Donald: 24.4%<br>2. Bosa: 21.7%<br>3. Wake: 21.3%<br>4. Miller: 20.5%<br>5. Lawson: 20.1%<a href="https://t.co/T1TA5EPMWL">pic.twitter.com/T1TA5EPMWL</a></p>— Ben Linsey (@PFF_Linsey) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_Linsey/status/1164695177052794886?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2019</a>
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<p id="P8uOut">Credit to Jones for not just getting up, but standing in and delivering the ball on the subsequent 3 and 16 while the pocket once again collapsed around him. He couldn’t step into the pass causing the ball to float but <span>Darius Slayton</span> got the uncontested catch when the cornerback slipped. While the result was obviously good, it’s better that Jones didn’t get gunshy after taking a crushing shot. </p>
<h2 id="rEXbm9">Honorary winner - Successful two-point conversions</h2>
<p id="tvogwm">Nobody wants to see preseason overtime, so I have to give a shout-out to <span>Kyle Lauletta</span>, <span>Jon Hilliman</span>, and <span>Alonzo Russell</span> (who’s hustle continues to impress) for not only scoring a go-ahead touchdown, but going for — and completing — a fourth-quarter two-point conversion. That was the difference here, and for avoiding preseason OT, you guys are the real MVPs.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2019/8/22/20829015/2019-preseason-giants-bengals-final-score-25-23-winners-losersChris Pflum2019-08-22T22:02:10-04:002019-08-22T22:02:10-04:00Giants-Bengals final score: Giants win third straight preseason game, 25-23
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<img alt="NFL: Preseason-New York Giants at Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/waDF0qNFwc-PKKw5r26QotXZypc=/0x0:3648x2432/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65094193/usa_today_13245614.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="ZlUYem">The <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> defeated the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>, 25-23, in Week 3 of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-preseason">NFL preseason</a> on Thursday night. The Giants are now 3-0 in preseason play.</p>
<p id="7gMCJ9"><span>Eli Manning</span> (4-of-8, 41 yards), <span>Daniel Jones</span> (9-of-11, 141 yards) and <span>Kyle Lauletta</span> (4-of-7, 77 yards) all played well at quarterback.</p>
<p id="FvsUgr">Wide receiver <span>Brittan Golden</span> was having a nice night with two catches for 59 yards and a 68-yard punt return for a touchdown, but put a damper on it by fumbling a fourth-quarter punt.</p>
<p id="f0dY7g">Tight end <span>Garrett Dickerson</span> helped himself with a pair of catches for 30 yards.</p>
<p id="g6NRV8">Wayne Gallman carried eight times for 31 yards.</p>
<p id="5nexh5">Cornerback Corey Ballentine had seven tackles and two passes defensed.</p>
<h2 id="rxCZMk">Injury updates</h2>
<p id="2JhswR">Running back <span>Rod Smith</span> left the game in the first half with a groin injury. <span>Smith</span> is competing with Gallman, <span>Paul Perkins</span> and <span>Jon Hilliman</span> for a spot as a backup to Saquon Barkley. He ended his night with five carries for 8 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<h2 id="BLyhUG">One-and-done for Eli</h2>
<p id="9rpqV5"><span>Eli Manning</span> played one productive series, leading the Giants on a 15-play, 66-yard drive that ended with a 41-yard <span>Aldrick Rosas</span> field goal. <span>Manning</span> went 4-of-8 for 41 yards and had two passes dropped by Cody Latimer. The second drop should have been an 18-yard touchdown throw to Latimer.</p>
<h2 id="OsMG7n">Another good night for Daniel Jones </h2>
<p id="wniWog">Jones took over for Manning after one series and played the rest of the first half. He went 9-of-11 for 141 yards. Here is a Jones to <span>Darius Slayton</span> completion:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Daniel Jones <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/playmaker?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#playmaker</a> again! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYGvsCIN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYGvsCIN</a> <br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a>)<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/8k3LX2aubq">pic.twitter.com/8k3LX2aubq</a></p>— PFF (@PFF) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1164693670869766147?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2019</a>
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<p id="VZjxFc">Through three games, Jones is 25-of-30 (83.3 percent) for 369 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. That’s a passer rating of 140.1.</p>
<h2 id="AeAjMo">Injury updates</h2>
<p id="0YP3h0">Running back <span>Rod Smith</span> left the game in the first half with a groin injury. <span>Smith</span> is competing with Wayne Gallman, <span>Paul Perkins</span> and Jon Hilliman for a spot as a backup to Saquon Barkley. He ended his night with five carries for 8 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<h2 id="MhClc1">What’s next?</h2>
<p id="69c2c6">The Giants finish their preseason with a trip to Massachusetts to face the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> on Thursday, Aug. 29. Game time is 7:30 p.m. ET.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2019/8/22/20828025/giants-bengals-final-score-giants-win-third-straight-preseason-game-25-23Ed Valentine2019-08-22T20:35:01-04:002019-08-22T20:35:01-04:00Giants at Bengals halftime score: All tied up at 10 apiece
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<img alt="NFL: Preseason-New York Giants at Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eH-xmh--4co54u08qqygwFA4c5k=/0x0:4152x2768/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65093943/usa_today_13245345.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Your second-half open thread</p> <p id="zl0esU">The third preseason game between the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> and <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> goes into half-time tied, 10-10.</p>
<p id="tGTFVb">The Bengals got the ball to start the game, but while their opening drive got off to a hot start with a 28-yard gain on a tight end screen, the Giants’ defense stiffened and got off the field without any real damage done. </p>
<p id="DVG6bS"><span>Eli Manning</span> got the ball at the 11-yard line and engineered an efficient 15-play drive. And while the Giants’ opening drive stalled in the red zone and resulted in an <span>Aldrick Rosas</span> field goal, it did give us this play. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">THAT'S OUR QB <a href="https://t.co/b8SkGFEp8N">pic.twitter.com/b8SkGFEp8N</a></p>— New York Giants (@Giants) <a href="https://twitter.com/Giants/status/1164679890496446466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2019</a>
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<p id="27qtI3">Seeing <span>Eli Manning</span> get out in space as a lead blocker once was, apparently, enough for Pat Shurmur and Eli’s night was done. </p>
<p id="H6ZY22">The Giants then turned the offense over to <span>Daniel Jones</span> who continued to look sharp, though his first two drives stalled. Jones got the Giants back on the board with his third drive completing a great long pass to Brittain Golden before getting squished when both <span>Nate Solder</span> and <span>Mike Remmers</span> gave up quick pressure. </p>
<p id="rre5wc">The pocket collapsed again the next play, but Jones was able to get the pass off and the high floater was hauled in by rookie WR <span>Darius Slayton</span> when the cornerback slipped. <span>Rod Smith</span> punched the ball in two plays later to cap the drive, but left the game later in the second quarter with a groin injury.</p>
<p id="RekR8j">The Giants will get the ball to start the second half. </p>
<p id="IfKFkH"></p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2019/8/22/20829011/2019-preseason-ny-giants-at-bengals-halftime-score-all-tied-up-at-10-apieceChris Pflum2019-08-22T19:27:16-04:002019-08-22T19:27:16-04:00Giants at Bengals, preseason Week 3: First-half live updates
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<img alt="New York Giants v Cincinnati Bengals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2J2zu27KZSUTKrV4lkuKBD_n1wM=/57x0:4899x3228/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65093393/1169658629.jpg.5.jpg" />
<figcaption>Wayne Gallman runs with the ball. | Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Use this as your first-half open thread</p> <p id="O7QqJ9">Follow along right here as the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> face the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> in <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-preseason">preseason NFL</a> action beginning at 7 p.m. ET.</p>
<h2 id="yCp6P6">In-game updates</h2>
<p id="ADColE">I don’t think Pat Shurmur drew this up.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Eli Manning, lead blocker <br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/Giants?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Giants</a>) <a href="https://t.co/BTdQjXJj1r">pic.twitter.com/BTdQjXJj1r</a></p>— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) <a href="https://twitter.com/SNYGiants/status/1164680072432934912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2019</a>
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<h2 id="Dyl5AN">Not expected to play</h2>
<p id="DWhOWu">Notaby absent from the list below are tight end <span>Evan Engram</span> and wide receiver <span>Darius Slayton</span>.</p>
<p id="m9Q61g">RB <span>Saquon Barkley</span> (coach decision)<br>WR <span>Golden Tate</span> (concussion)<br>CB <span>Sam Beal</span> (hamstring)<br>CB <span>DeAndre Baker</span> (knee)<br>CB <span>Antonio Hamilton</span> (groin)<br>LB <span>Alec Ogletree</span> (calf)<br>OT <span>Chad Wheeler</span> (back)<br>OT <span>George Asafo-Adjei</span> (concussion)<br>WR <span>Sterling Shepard</span> (thumb)</p>
<h2 id="thOAmW">How to watch, listen</h2>
<p id="iiEnoe"><strong>Game time: </strong>7 p.m. EST</p>
<p id="au7Sc9"><strong>TV:</strong> WNBC 4 NY</p>
<p id="TUVgov"><strong>Announcers: </strong>WNBC 4 NY:<strong> </strong>Bob Papa, Carl Banks, Bruce Beck and Howard Cross (sideline)</p>
<p id="wKxtu7"><strong>Radio: SIRIUS XM: </strong>(Giants) 380, Streaming 822, (Bengals) 88, Streaming 806 | <a href="https://tunein.com/radio/Minnesota-Vikings-at-Los-Angeles-Rams-Sep-27-2018-p1130530/"><strong>Tune-In Premium</strong></a><strong>;</strong></p>
<p id="9IIXei"><strong>Giants Radio Network </strong>— WFAN 660-AM, 101.9-FM and local affiliates. <strong>Announcers:</strong> Paul Dottino, <span><strong>Shaun O’Hara</strong></span> and Madelyn Burke (sideline).</p>
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<p id="dARWjW">See our constantly updated <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/2019/8/22/20827984/game-day-complete-coverage-at-giants-at-bengals-preseason-game">StoryStream</a> for full coverage of the game.</p>
<p id="Usmaz4">Be sure to check back after halftime for our second-half open thread.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2019/8/22/20828816/giants-at-bengals-preseason-week-3-first-half-live-updates-game-time-tv-scoreEd Valentine2019-08-22T14:43:49-04:002019-08-22T14:43:49-04:00Giants at Bengals - The final dress rehearsal?
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<img alt="NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7XXNBAX5nQjSgUbxo6Sc5wRgz5U=/0x0:3603x2402/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65091722/usa_today_9678257.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>This doesn’t look like the normal third preseason game</p> <p id="UQvz3o">Tonight the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> will take on the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> for their third preseason game, but this game could well be different from years past.</p>
<p id="mF9Ax4">The third game is generally considered the biggest and most import of the four preseason games and is used by coaches to give their starters as close to a regular season game experience as they can. That generally means the team game planning as if it was a regular season week of preparation and starters staying on the field for the entirety of the first half — and even into the third quarter. </p>
<p id="iyBUMm">But this year things look as though they will be different. </p>
<h2 id="GcOAaJ">The Giants aren’t playing the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a>
</h2>
<p id="ugKWBY">The Giants have typically played the Jets in the third game of the pre-season, using the game typically closest to a regular season contest to exercise their rivalry with the team with whom they share a stadium and a market, but only play once every four years. The game became known as the “Snoopie Bowl” in honor of Met Life’s sponsorship of the new stadium, butThe two teams play every year, but this year was somewhat unique in that it was the first game of the preseason. </p>
<h2 id="VcpjzS">The Giants won’t have their best players on the field</h2>
<p id="WBU353">The third game of the preseason has typically been the one in which starters get stretched and prepared for regular season action. They see — by far — the most snaps of the preseason, play against other starters, and in the closest thing to the teams’ actual shemes they see all preseason. </p>
<p id="C813ht">However, we pretty much already know <span>Saquon Barkley</span> won’t play, it seems very likely as of this writing that <span>Evan Engram</span> won’t play. And, barring a surprise, <span>Sterling Shepard</span> won’t be suiting up to play the Bengals either. So while their absence does create opportunities for other players, it also makes it difficult to consider this game as a “dress rehearsal” for the regular season. Starters are starters for a reason, and we won’t be seeing anything like the Giants’ “real” offense with their three best players on the sideline. </p>
<h2 id="6tzZA7">
<span>Eli Manning</span> will likely once again have a short night </h2>
<p id="GE293P">So far the Giants’ starting quarterback has played a grand total of 17 snaps on two drives in two games. In each of the first two games the Giants have limited their starting quarterback to a single drive, regardless of the length or outcome. In years past we would have seen Eli get the entirety of the first quarter against the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> — though the Bears’ decision to hold their own starters out of the game completely might have impacted the Giants’ calculus there. </p>
<p id="Jnesem">This week we would expect <span>Manning</span> to get the entire first half, and likely play into the third quarter to replicate playing again after halftime in the regular season. </p>
<p id="Y7DX6H">This year, we just don’t know. </p>
<p id="ZcSM6h">Pat Shurmur said after the second game of the preseason that his plan for the divvying up the playing time for his four quarterbacks would “reveal itself” over the course of the game. The Giants have to balance getting <span>Manning</span> the reps needed to prepare to win games with getting <span>Daniel Jones</span> the reps he needs to get ready to assume the starting job at some point in the future. </p>
<p id="ijih0f">There’s also the matter that coaches are beginning to view pre-season snaps as less important than they had in previous years — as evidenced by the Bears’ decision. </p>
<p id="86SlbZ">“People are starting to divert their opinions as to the importance of playing your players in the preseason games,” Shurmur said. “I’ve already heard people talking to me about the third preseason game and it’s your dress rehearsal, that’s kind of like your halftime adjustments. I think you are getting ready to play every practice and every game. As a coach, you have to weigh the importance of the work you are doing and how much work each guy gets.”</p>
<aside id="DBYFtk"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Giants at Bengals: 5 things to watch Thursday night","url":"https://www.bigblueview.com/2019/8/22/20827310/giants-at-bengals-5-things-to-watch-thursday-night"},{"title":"BBV Round Table: What should be done about the preseason?","url":"https://www.bigblueview.com/2019/8/22/20813545/bbv-round-table-what-should-be-done-about-the-preseason"},{"title":"Giants at Bengals: ‘5 questions’ about a foe filled with familiar faces","url":"https://www.bigblueview.com/2019/8/21/20825594/giants-at-bengals-5-questions-about-a-foe-filled-with-familiar-faces"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="kk5zLz">Final thoughts</h2>
<p id="YMpeVh">This doesn’t look as though it will be the same kind of game as we usually see in the third week of the preseason. Not playing the Jets feels unusual — though it’s hardly unheard of, and not having top players on the field also isn’t unusual. Having Eli give up snaps for the sake of a young quarterback definitely feels weird, but that’s what happens when your franchise quarterback sets a franchise record for seasons with the team. </p>
<p id="xh5kk7">Taken as a whole, however, this game just doesn’t seem normal. We can’t call it a dress rehearsal for the regular season when the best players on offense will be on the sideline — and two of them are completely healthy — and the starting quarterback may only get his toes wet again. </p>
<p id="CNecOA">That doesn’t necessarily mean that this preseason is being wasted. Resource management is the name of the game in the NFL, and not losing your best players to attrition is an advantage. And maybe cutting down on Eli’s reps will have a positive effect to start the season. </p>
<p id="RiJFmJ">Just because it’s different doesn’t mean that it is worse than how things were done in the past. We’ll have to wait and see whether the Giants have made the right calls.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2019/8/22/20827111/2019-preseason-ny-giants-cincinnati-bengals-eli-manning-daniel-jones-barkley-engram-shepardChris Pflum2019-08-22T10:24:45-04:002019-08-22T10:24:45-04:00‘Valentine’s Views’ podcast: Giants-Bengals preview
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<img alt="NFL: Cincinnati Bengals-Training Camp" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4xG1S6HNLtmCHPb5IAz_D1yG88g=/0x0:4154x2769/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65089429/usa_today_13114928.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Anthony Cosenza of Cincy Jungle helps us break it down</p> <p id="4knqPO">With the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> facing the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> on Thursday night, Anthony Cozenza of SB Nation’s Cincy Jungle joins the ‘Valentine’s Views’ podcast to help us break the game down.</p>
<p id="4wsjAA">Yours truly also hopped on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=386WVJQcE9k#action=share">Bengals podcast</a>, so give that a listen. Also, don’t miss the “<a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/2019/8/21/20825594/giants-at-bengals-5-questions-about-a-foe-filled-with-familiar-faces">5 questions</a>” segment.</p>
<p id="IV1h7f">Please give the full show a listen below.</p>
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<h2 id="ZehXN8">Where to subscribe</h2>
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https://www.bigblueview.com/big-blue-view-radio/2019/8/22/20828147/valentines-views-podcast-giants-bengals-previewEd Valentine2019-08-22T09:17:11-04:002019-08-22T09:17:11-04:00Giants at Bengals: 5 things to watch Thursday night
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<img alt="NFL: Preseason-Chicago Bears at New York Giants" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8rORJOEG_Ee4EflVe3uxwb3rrzk=/16x0:4806x3193/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65088944/usa_today_13220866.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jon Hilliman runs the ball vs. the Bears. | Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>What will you be looking for in third preseason game?</p> <p id="tnfugW">The NFL regular season is creeping closer. The <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> face the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> Thursday night in the third game of the preseason. Teams have to cut their roster to 53 players on August 31, just nine days from now.</p>
<p id="51IEqU">So, here are some things to look for on Thursday night.</p>
<h2 id="NcBek6">Dress rehearsal?</h2>
<p id="nUoqO8">Maybe not.</p>
<p id="EfL8X8">We have seen team after team barely play their starters in the first two preseason games. The <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> did not play a single starter last Friday vs. the Giants. The third preseason game is traditionally the game when starters play the most snaps, but with the attitude toward preseason changing across the league it’s possible we don’t see starters for long at all. Guys like <span>Saquon Barkley</span> and <span>Evan Engram</span> probably won’t play at all.</p>
<p id="IFcxiU">Giants coach Pat Shurmur hasn’t said how he would approach Thursday’s game. Read into this statement whatever you will:</p>
<p id="1b0e7f">“People are starting to divert their opinions as to the importance of playing your players in the preseason games. I’ve already heard people talking to me about the third preseason game and it’s your dress rehearsal, that’s kind of like your halftime adjustments,” Shurmur said a few days ago. “I think you are getting ready to play every practice and every game. As a coach, you have to weigh the importance of the work you are doing and how much work each guy gets ... every team is different, and every coach views it differently based on the players they have and their experiences.” </p>
<div id="D64jzf">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Daniel Jones off to a hot start after being one of the most criticized draft picks in recent memory<a href="https://t.co/J6ZEEGhBG3">https://t.co/J6ZEEGhBG3</a> <a href="https://t.co/CoFtqp2xbl">pic.twitter.com/CoFtqp2xbl</a></p>— PFF NY Giants (@PFF_Giants) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_Giants/status/1164225336218968064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2 id="vl4Q6B">
<span>Daniel Jones</span> </h2>
<p id="hNv11E">Jones has been everything the Giants could have hoped for when they selected him No. 6 overall. Does that mean he will be a great NFL quarterback? Of course not, but what we have seen so far is certainly something to feel good about.</p>
<p id="GypNZa">We’ll see if it continues against the Bengals.</p>
<h2 id="MJqPnS">Bubble battles</h2>
<p id="JkPQ20">Players fighting for the final roster spots are running out of time to make impressions. Teams have to set their 53-man rosters by 4 p.m. ET on Aug. 31, nine days away. </p>
<p id="xp7xCs">The Giants have interesting, unsettled competitions across the roster.</p>
<p id="bCjG2l"><strong>Quarterback</strong> — Can Alex Tanney or <span>Kyle Lauletta</span> convince the Giants to keep three QBs?</p>
<p id="UrPrG3"><strong>Running back</strong> — Wayne Gallman, <span>Paul Perkins</span> and <span>Rod Smith</span> are probably jockeying for two spots. Rookie Jon Hilliman might be headed to the practice squad.</p>
<p id="M7pouQ"><strong>Offensive line</strong> — <span>Chad Slade</span>, <span>Evan Brown</span> and <span>Nick Gates</span> have drawn praise from Shurmur. Still, nothing is settled when it comes to reserve offensive linemen?</p>
<p id="ZyjBtP"><strong>Tight end</strong> — Does <span>C.J. Conrad</span> need to play well the next two games to secure a roster spot, or has the undrafted free agent already done that?</p>
<p id="Tdv9j7"><strong>Wide receiver</strong> — Can veteran <span>Brittan Golden</span> or youngster <span>Reggie White Jr.</span> force their way onto the roster?</p>
<p id="XNufB2"><strong>Defensive line</strong> — Rookie Chris Slayton or veteran <span>John Jenkins</span> for the sixth spot? If, that is, the Giants even keep six at this position.</p>
<p id="ODnwyF"><strong>Backup linebacker/edge</strong> — <span>B.J. Goodson</span>, <span>Jonathan Anderson</span>, <span>Josiah Tauaefa</span>, <span>Nate Stupar</span> and maybe <span>Avery Moss</span> are competing for jobs. <span>Jake Carlock</span>? Probably a practice squad guy.</p>
<p id="u10YRC"><strong>Cornerback</strong> — Can Sam Beal get healthy enough to show he deserves a roster spot?</p>
<p id="5NgnWB"><strong>Safety </strong>— With Julian Love able to back up <span>Antoine Bethea</span>, can the Giants find a spot for either <span>Sean Chandler</span> or <span>Kenny Ladler</span>?</p>
<p id="ZjMCXY"><strong>Punter</strong> — We haven’t seen <span>Johnny Townsend</span> yet, but it looks like he and <span>Riley Dixon</span> are in a legitimate competition.</p>
<h2 id="FnMjan">
<span>Darius Slayton</span> </h2>
<p id="Gp6CKH">We thought the rookie wide receiver, a fifth-round pick working his way back from a hamstring injury, would make his debut vs. the Bears. That didn’t happen, though Shurmur said before that game that Slayton “just needs to get out there.”</p>
<p id="eXFcRa">This week Shurmur was non-committal about Slayton:</p>
<p id="Hy7xVp">“We’ll see. He’s getting really, really close to being in there. We’ll just have to see if he makes it,” he said.</p>
<h2 id="rU4PKG">All those ex-Giants</h2>
<p id="hVvcgs">Bobby Hart. John Jerry. Kerry Wynn. <span>Tony Lippett</span>. B.W, Webb. Hunter Sharp. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. I know you’re excited to see them. Shoot, that might even be true in Wynn’s case.</p>
<p id="yTo59g"></p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2019/8/22/20827310/giants-at-bengals-5-things-to-watch-thursday-nightEd Valentine2019-08-22T08:00:00-04:002019-08-22T08:00:00-04:00BBV Round Table: What should be done about the preseason?
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<img alt="Chicago Bears v New York Giants" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3xL8b6NaBLbqEKqlCtuVNWsmd9M=/0x136:4596x3200/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65088485/1168505034.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jabrill Peppers during Friday’s game vs. the Bears. | Photo by Elsa/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It’s broken, so our writers discuss ideas for fixing the preseason</p> <p id="qPnnG7">More and more, NFL teams are protecting their front-line players by not subjecting them to many preseason snaps — if they play at all. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that no one wants four preseason games. In our latest round table, we asked Big Blue View contributors how they would fix the preseason.</p>
<p id="Ql82I4"><strong>Question: The </strong><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-preseason"><strong>NFL preseason</strong></a><strong> is obviously broken? How would you suggest the league fix it?</strong></p>
<h2 id="uEiEZm">Chris Pflum</h2>
<p id="zIrhTG">I think before we can fix a problem we need to define the problem, and when it comes to the NFL preseason, there are a number of different problems depending on your perspective.</p>
<ul>
<li id="PArLp9">For most fans, the product on the field is boring at best. Teams’ best players are on the field sparingly — if at all — and teams play a watered down brand of football designed to keep their schemes hidden for the regular season.</li>
<li id="uHkpr8">For players, there is a legitimate risk of injury which could cost them their season, or perhaps their career if they aren’t established. but at the same time players on the roster bubble need the game tape to secure a spot on a final roster.</li>
<li id="uz7D4b">For ownership, attendance is always low and preseason games just aren’t very profitable. </li>
<li id="YM1vJo">And for coaches, there is the need to balance getting through the preseason healthy and not giving away too much with getting the team ready to play in September.</li>
</ul>
<p id="BnNicQ">Broken down like that, the problem with the preseason is that it can’t be all things to all people. There are necessary evils to getting ready for the NFL’s regular season and the preseason is part of it. </p>
<p id="MMJ00L">Eventually the preseason will only be two games and the regular season 18 games long. Not only does that fulfill the fans’ desire for meaningful games, but also the owners’ desire for more money. The only questions are when the NFLPA will cave, what they’ll be able to get in return, and how the coaches will cope with half as many games with which to evaluate their rosters. </p>
<p id="brftxy">In the meantime, there might be a few half-steps to help teams get ready for the regular season while walking the tight-rope of providing an entertaining product, getting ready for regular season games, and staying healthy. </p>
<p id="BKmFJw">The first might be to avoid what has happened with the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a> this year with them playing three regular season opponents in the preseason. We have already seen the Giants be incredibly conservative with their games this year, showing almost no wrinkles and keeping their best players off the field. When preseason schedules are designed, they are generally done so to limit travel as much as possible. Going forward the team could first make sure regular season opponents don’t see each other in preseason games. While every team will still have access to the tape, it might help teams be a little freer with their plans and make for more entertaining (and useful) games. </p>
<p id="Ye5h8m">The next one isn’t my idea, but I can’t recall where I saw it first to give proper credit. Open up the games. Instead of charging regular season prices and trying to get as much as the market will bear for every seat, charge just enough to cover the operating costs for the game. It would encourage fans who might not have the time or financial wherewithal to go to a regular season game to show up to preseason games. Having an energetic atmosphere not only makes the game better for everyone in attendance, it makes the game better on TV as well. </p>
<p id="7zDx35">Finally, the NFL could encourage teams to have more joint practices. There is no way for practice to simulate the intensity and chaos of an actual game, but having two rosters practice against each other tends to ramp things up a bit. Hopefully that would translate to that week’s preseason game (in a safe way) and perhaps even help coaches identify under the radar players who could be surprise contributors that they might not have recognized in more controlled circumstances. </p>
<p id="RjrELS">There isn’t a one-shot answer to fixing the pre-season and it will never be able to make everyone happy. It’s possible to make it better, but that will also need everyone involved recognizing that they will have to compromise. </p>
<h2 id="lriWDr">Patricia Traina</h2>
<p id="xjmPN8">I think to fix the preseason, the NFL has to go back to the rules it allowed for under the CBA before the current one. </p>
<p id="2HFqvy">Some of those rules allowed for contact in the off-season program (OTAs). </p>
<p id="fuLcwc">I also remember teams being allowed to start their off-season programs earlier than they do these days, regardless if they have a new head coach. Let all the teams start on the same day and then finish on the same day. </p>
<p id="U9aMu3">And if you want to shorten the preseason games due to safety concerns, I think most coaches might be more receptive to that if they can see something that looks like real football instead of guys just running round in shorts and shells all spring. </p>
<h2 id="24lh4n">Joe DeLeone</h2>
<p id="qBt4ZU">All issues with the NFL’s preseason stem from it being too long and consisting of too many games. The obvious solution to that is cutting the games down to two instead of four. </p>
<p id="8fthaO">College football has operated for a very long time with a training camp spanning around three to four weeks without any exhibition games against other schools. Similar to the NFL, the NCAA has limited the amount of full contact allowed in a full week, which has eliminated two a day practices. As someone who has endured four training camps at the college level, I can confidently say you can properly prepare for a season this way. </p>
<p id="pS73B9">Obviously the NFL is a completely different animal, which is why you cannot have the same exact preseason schedule as college. However, extending the amount of training camp practices and retaining two preseason games is more than enough. Teams still have plenty of time for diligent preparation for the first game and evaluation of the roster to make cuts. </p>
<p id="5NzQgN">From a quality of football perspective, the first two preseason games are laden with fringe roster players and feel like <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/aaf">AAF</a> matchups. A lot of players who participate in a majority of the playing time end up being cut or at the bottom of the depth chart. There is a reason why not a lot of fans watch these games. </p>
<p id="GCvoQ1">While I support shortening the preseason, I do not agree with the alteration of the schedule to 18 games. Extending the season would only increase the amount of major injuries, which is ultimately the main goal of changing the preseason. </p>
<h2 id="baaoD3">Ed Valentine</h2>
<p id="G5U5vW">I’m not going to give the “shorten the preseason to two games and expand the regular season to 18 games” answer. We’re probably headed to something like that, anyway, in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement.</p>
<p id="FWB4aq">Beyond that, there are other changes I would like to see that I believe would help teams prepare better for the regular season.</p>
<p id="7ItlTK">Like Patricia Traina, I would like to see some rollback of preseason practice rules to allow more contact. Allow some hitting to take place. Perhaps even add a second mandatory mini-camp (even if it replaces some of the OTAs) during which pads can be worn, linemen can hit each other and cornerbacks are able to press wide receivers rather than just allow free releases and shadow them. I think that’s better preparation for everyone.</p>
<p id="1NX9ek">How about making the season-ticket packages regular-season only? Open up preseason games, at a reduced rate, to single-game buyers. You’re getting a reduced product, anyway. My guess is you would get all sorts of fans to attend who ordinarily could not afford, or get, season tickets. I think that might put more people, and a different energy, in stadiums for these games. You would have people who were excited to be attending an NFL game, even if it was a “pretend” one.</p>
<p id="5NoaxN">I would love to see an expansion of NFL teams scrimmaging against each other. I also love what the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> did last week, holding a controlled, 60-play scrimmage with their starters where they set up the situations they wanted to practice. That’s an awesome way for NFL teams to get work for their front-line guys while using the actual preseason games to give backups and guys fighting for roster spots opportunities.</p>
<p id="99otb2">Why not have at least one full intra-squad scrimmage in your team’s home stadium that fans could attend — for free? Or, if you want to charge, choose a charity that proceeds from ticket sales would go to? </p>
<p id="rGUGfJ">I just think there are better ways to get ready for an NFL season than the way most NFL teams do now. Maybe some need to be legislated. Others, though, just require generally rigid NFL coaches to use their imaginations.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2019/8/22/20813545/bbv-round-table-what-should-be-done-about-the-preseasonEd Valentine